Rock the Air campaign for Embry-Riddle tops 19,000 signatures

Thanks to support from several more regional organizations, the petition drive to bring Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University to Rockford has topped 19,000 signatures.

Friday, Oct. 1, the Rockford IceHogs got 500 signatures from fans at a preseason hockey game. That weekend, the Rockford Area Association of Realtors also had members out in the community gathering about 1,000 signatures for the RockTheAir.com campaign.

Of the 19,000 signatures, at least 1,000 identified themselves as potential Embry-Riddle students and requested more information.

More than 125 government, business and community organizations have written letters of support to Embry-Riddle, and more than 25 have passed resolutions of support.

“Every day, more groups and individuals step up and help the campaign,” said Janyce Fadden, president of the Rockford Area Economic Development Council. “It’s exciting to see the region rallying together, but we can’t stop now. If anyone has any ideas on how to spread the word, and wants to get involved, let us know.”

An online petition, as well as paper copies to download and locations of existing paper copies, is at RockTheAir.com. Also, government, business and community organizations around the Midwest can find sample letters of support and resolutions to download.

→ Set your e-mail footer to support the campaign. Footers are available at the RockTheAir.com site.

→ Follow the movement on Twitter and Facebook.

→ Promote the Rock the Air website by putting a banner on your website. Banner ads are available for download on the RockTheAir.com site.

→ Make your Facebook profile picture the Embry-Riddle eagle, which you can find at the RockTheAir.com site.

→ Put up a sign of your own and post a photo of it on the campaign’s Facebook wall.

“We haven’t set a deadline for the campaign because we want to reach as many people as possible and show Embry-Riddle that the region can come together to support this cause,” Fadden said. “This public show of support is one of many ways we’re sending our message of welcome to Embry-Riddle.”